You may need to apply for a club premises certificate if you’re a social, sporting or political members club (like a working men’s club or British Legion).
You need a certificate to:
- sell or supply alcohol to members or guests
- provide regulated entertainment, like musical performances or film screenings to members or guests
What the certificate allows
If your club holds a club premises certificate:
- it may be able to supply alcohol to members and sell it to guests without the need for any member or employee to hold a personal licence - depending on what the certificate allows
- it doesn’t need to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor
- police and licensing officers have more limited rights of entry because the premises are private
Conditions
To qualify for a certificate, your club must make sure that:
- it has premises that are occupied and used regularly for club purposes
- alcohol and entertainment is only provided to members and their guests
- only someone 18 or older who is nominated by the club can serve alcohol or buy it for the club
- there is no arrangement for anyone to benefit financially from buying or selling alcohol
- new members wait two days from their application before getting membership privileges
- it is established and conducted in good faith
- it has at least 25 members
Before you start
You'll need to provide:
- a plan of the premises showing certain criteria
- a copy of the rules of the club
- a club operating schedule
- completed club declaration form
- the application fee
You should read Section 182 Licensing Act Guidance.
You’ll be charged a fee that’s based on the rateable value of the property.
Payment can be made by card over the phone, or by sending a cheque. The 28 day representation period starts once payment is received.
After you've made an application
There is a 28 day period during which the responsible authorities and any other person can make representations about a new premises licence application. If no representations are received within this 28 day period, the application is granted with the relevant mandatory conditions and any conditions consistent with your operating schedule.
If representations are received, the application process can take longer as a licensing sub-committee might need to be arranged to to hear the application.
Displaying your application notice
You must display your ‘application notice’ at or on the premises for 28 days from the day after it was submitted. View the advertising requirements.
Appealing a decision
If your licence application is refused, you can appeal. Appeals should be made to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of being notified of the Licensing Authority's decision.
You can also appeal against any conditions attached to your premises licence, including a decision to:
- exclude a licensable activity from the licence
- reject a variation application
Displaying your certificate
You must prominently display the club premises certificate in your club.
You may need to display notice of your application before you get your club premises certificate. Check with your council.
Fines and penalties
You can be jailed for up to 6 months and/or fined if you provide alcohol or entertainment without the necessary certificate or without following its conditions.